Twenty years ago, could you have imagined finding your best friend from middle school, talking to her, while looking at her from a tiny box you keep in your pocket? What about using that little box to deposit your checks when you can’t make it to the bank? Or just because you can? What about listening to all your favorite songs, just by pressing a button on this little portable box? Twenty years ago, could you even imagine carrying anything around with you 24/7 that wasn’t your wallet or ID? Probably not. As imaginative as you may be, if you were asked these questions twenty years ago, you probably would have assumed I was referencing a spy film, or some sort of sci-fi thriller. But that’s OK. So would most people.

Twenty years ago, only the elite actually had cell phones, and only a select few people in the world – namely scientists – had the imagination for what would come next. These scientists, researchers, and engineers – and their vivid imaginations – would ultimately be responsible for packaging some of the most successful technological innovations of the last twenty years into one “tiny little box” for us – the iPhone. As a leader in the computer industry, Apple, Inc. managed to revitalize the mobile phone industry with the creation of its revolutionary iPhone. In this essay, I will discuss the technical, historical, economic, and political background of the Apple iPhone, as well as present my insights and analysis of the emergence and impact its had on technology and our culture.

The iPhone could not have been imagined without the technologies that came before it. Of course the Internet and the telephone are the two technologies that are essential in discussing modern smartphone technology such as the iPhone. Smartphones are basically mobile phones with Internet access. Without the telephone, there would be no mobile phones. Without the Internet, there would be no smartphones.

Personal digital assistants (PDAs) emerged in the late 1990s, and are widely considered to be the earliest smartphones. PDAs could make phone calls and had basic Internet access. In short, they were the closest in function to what smartphones are today. However, they were heavy, large, and limited by the hardware that was available at the time. Ultimately, PDAs were not conducive to the mobile technology that people wanted, but without them, the iPhone might never exist.

What had initially set the iPhone apart from its predecessors was its interactive surface. Much of the iPhone’s early success could be attributed to this technology. Touch screens had existed long before the emergence of the iPhone, even if they were much more basic. The iPhone used the existing touch screen technology, but rearranged it in order for it to become a multiple touch system. So what had originally been a one-point touch system eventually became the fully operational iPhone surface it is today.

In order to fully comprehend the tremendous impact the iPhone has had on the mobile phone industry, we must first understand how it functions. The surface of the iPhone fully operates via touch screen. There is no physical keyboard whatsoever. Unlike touch screens of the past, the iPhone relies on your fingers and not a stylus. Electronic devices that use touch screen typically monitor changes in electrical current. When you place your finger (or a stylus) on the screen, it changes the state that the device is monitoring. Most systems establish a baseline when you touch the screen. If you were to touch it again, it would create a new baseline. These kinds of systems would be problematic for devices that rely solely on a touch screen interface. Texting, for example, would not be possible on those types of devices if that were the case (Wilson & Fenlon).

Yet the iPhone is unique in that its interface is multi-touch compatible, meaning that you can touch several different points on the screen at the same time. An example of its multi-touch interface would be its zoom feature. In order to zoom in or out of a picture, you are required to touch different points on the screen and drag them in or out with your fingers. Its touch screen includes a layer of capacitive material that is arranged according to a coordinate system. It can sense changes at each point along the grid. Each point generates its own signal when touched, and then it relays that signal to the iPhone’s processor. The processor then uses software located in the iPhone’s memory to interpret the signals as commands and gestures (Wilson & Fenlon). The following illustration from HowStuffWorks demonstrates the iPhone’s touch sensing capabilities:

The iPhone’s processor and software are central to correctly interpreting input from the touch screen. The steps below demonstrate exactly how this happens.

Signals travel from the touch screen to the processor as electrical impulses.

The processor uses software to analyze the data and determine the features of each touch, including size, shape, and location of the affected area on the screen.

The processor uses its gesture interpretation software to determine which gesture you made by combining your physical movement with information about which application you were using and what it was doing when you touched the screen.

The processor relays your instructions to the program in use. It sends commands to the iPhone’s screen and other hardware. If the data doesn’t match any applicable gestures or commands, the iPhone disregards it as an extraneous touch (Wilson & Fenlon).

As I mentioned earlier, the iPhone’s user-friendly touch screen interface allows it to be fully functional, without the use of a stylus or keyboard. The only button it does have on the surface of its screen is the Home button. Pressing this button takes you to the main screen of the iPhone’s graphical user interface. From there, you can choose from the device’s four primary functions using icons at the bottom of the phone (Wilson & Fenlon). These functions include:

Phone. The phone function operates as a cellular phone service, complete with a list of contacts, and visual voice mail.

Mail. The mail function operates as an e-mail service, with HTML capabilities, as well as POP and IMAP e-mail access, allowing you to toggle between several different inboxes and e-mail addresses.

Web. The web function allows you to browse the Internet using Apple’s Safari web browser.

iPod. The iPod function does exactly what iPods do, which is play music and videos.

Additionally, other applications can be accessed from the iPhone’s Home screen, as it is completely customizable. The iPhone comes stocked with applications specifically made for it, such as a calendar, calculator, notepad, weather reports, stock quotes, and a camera function, which has evolved and improved over the years. Third-party applications are available for download, both free and paid, through the iPhone App Store. Applications can be downloaded over a Wi-Fi connection or through your cellular data network.

The original iPhone was available solely through AT&T when it was released, which caused many of its users to fault Global System for Mobiles (GSM) for the slow speeds that they had initially experienced. However, the iPhone currently uses both Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) and GSM networks. CDMA networks include Verizon Wireless and the Sprint Corporation. Verizon is the largest mobile phone operator in the United States today, which supports the fact that CDMA networks are more prevalent in the US; GSM continues to be more popular in Europe.

The iPhone is the ultimate example of efficient convergence. The idea of convergence is essentially the combination of different forms of media and technology. The purpose of converged media is to create a single network or device that can carry out multiple tasks efficiently. Thanks to cell phone convergence, the iPhone functions as so much more than just a mobile phone. It is a mobile phone, the Internet, a camera, a music player, an alarm clock, a gaming console, a recording device, and a calendar all rolled into one.

Although the possibilities of the iPhone seem endless, it does have its limitations. As I mentioned earlier, the iPhone was only available through AT&T initially. It could be purchased exclusively from retail and online locations owned by AT&T and Apple. This of course, shut out a lot of potential customers unless they chose to switch carriers. By doing so, however, they would have had to pay close to $1400 for the phone itself, a data service plan, as well as the two-year contract with AT&T. The iPhone’s first model was also not supported by a 3G network at the time.

Another limitation of the iPhone is its lack of Adobe Flash compatibility. Apple never has, and never will, support Flash on any of its products, including the iPhone. This has been a source of criticism for the iPhone since its release. However, Apple has several reasons for its lack of Flash support. In fact, there is a section dedicated to this issue on Apple’s website that was written by its former CEO Steve Jobs in 2010.

Most technological advancements do come with tradeoffs, and the iPhone is no different in that regard. According to Steve Jobs (2010), the iPhone’s “revolutionary multi-touch interface” is not compatible with Flash games or websites because “Flash was designed for PCs using mice,” and “not for touch screens using fingers.” So iPhone users are technically trading Flash for an innovative touch screen. Another tradeoff would be the actual price of an iPhone. Upon its initial release, the price of the now-discontinued 4GB iPhone was $499, which is approximately $300 more than the average cost of a smartphone in 2007.

As with any new technology or invention, there is always the possibility of unintended consequences. One such consequence of toting the iPhone, as with any mobile device, is frequent exposure to cell phone radiation. According to research by the World Health Organization, sufficient evidence has been found to categorize exposure to cell phone use as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” (Dellorto, 2011). We are the first generation to carry mobile phones with us as often as we do. Therefore, we will be the first generation to experience its side effects.

Another unintended consequence of the iPhone, as well as other smartphones, is that there is the potential to create a lazy society in general. Keeping a smartphone with you at all times may seem beneficial, and it is – to an extent. It’s as if we have a personal computer or a mini-encyclopedia with us all the time. If we want information, all we have to do is type it into our devices, and the information will be retrieved almost instantly. But what does that do to us in terms of creativity, motivation, and ambition? Will we be less likely to spend the time it takes to learn and develop expertise in one subject? Or will we be satisfied knowing a little bit about everything? Of course, time will tell. My experience with smartphones has been a positive one thus far, but the lack of face-to-face social interaction, and the fact that so many people can do so many things with ease is somewhat frightening. We rely on our smartphones so much, that I’m afraid the future generation – the one that knows nothing but smartphone use – will not have the social skills or the drive to create a better society.

Furthermore, research has shown that teenagers who own smartphones are more likely to engage in risky behaviors and are more sexually active than those who don’t (Dotinga, 2012). In a study done by Eric Rice, an assistant professor at the University of California’s School of Social Work, it was found that a total of 47 percent of teens who owned a smartphone said they were sexually active, compared to only 35 percent of those without smartphones (Kuhn 2012). The issue of bullying is also prevalent in today’s society, and some believe that the smartphone can be used as a tool to make it easier to bully others. Others believe that teens can be bullied if they don’t own a smartphone. However, it’s important to remember that it must be a difficult decision for parents to decide whether or not to give their children these devices. In the past, researchers had made similar claims about teenagers who owned cars, and as we know, cars (and smartphones) do serve good purposes as well.

Smartphones + Driving = A Good Idea?

The iPhone has a plethora of great features and special qualities that let it stand out among other smartphones. Initially, the iPhone’s most unique quality was its innovative touch screen. It also lacks a user-changeable battery or memory card, unlike most smartphones (West & Mace, 2010). Today, the iPhone has Siri. Apple’s voice-recognition software, Siri, acts as an electronic intelligent personal assistant, and is meant to adapt to its user’s preferences over time to deliver more personalized results. Siri was introduced in the iPhone 4S model, and is activated by continuously pressing the Home button on the surface of the phone. Although some other smartphones do offer voice-activated commands, none are nearly as advanced as Siri, which can interact with you and even update your social networking statuses for you (Haury, 2012).

With the invention of the iPhone came the remedial technologies that have been created for and because of it. One such technology is the iPod Touch. Apple released the iPod Touch shortly after the release of the original iPhone as a sort of reduced-capability iPhone for those who wanted the iPhone but either could not or would not switch carriers to AT&T. The iPod Touch did almost exactly the same things that the iPhone did, except that it did not include a camera or the ability to make phone calls. Apple also opened an online marketplace called the iPhone App Store, in which iPhone users could buy or download supplemental applications for their phones directly from Apple. The store was a huge success, and many other smartphone makers followed suit opening their own mobile marketplaces.

Before Apple allowed third party applications, many angry but tech-savvy developers saw an opportunity to create applications to “jailbreak” the iPhone. The purpose of jailbreaking an iPhone is to be able to add applications or modifications that have not been approved by Apple, or that are unavailable in the App Store. The risk involved is that once a phone is jailbroken, it is no longer under warranty or supported by Apple. It is actually illegal to jailbreak your phone in order to unlock it. Unlocking your iPhone would be done in order to switch carriers, and as of 2013, it is illegal to use a third-party unlock vendor to do so (Heath, 2013). One such application, JailbreakMe, was created by developers and released as a series of tools to unlock the device, taking advantage of flaws that are in the Safari browser. Apple is aware of the malicious attempts to hack into their devices, and while they’ve released software updates to fix the flaws in their browser, hackers are always looking for new ways to attack any flaws in the operating system. However, Apple products are known for being less susceptible to the viruses that plague Windows-based operating systems and it often makes free security updates available to its users (Apple).

Since its original release, Apple has introduced several different models of the iPhone, evolving and improving its product every single time. The first and most marked improvement of all, most would agree, is the allowance of third party applications. At a conference for application developers, Steve Jobs unveiled the 3G iPhone, which was the first model of the iPhone to act as an application platform, encouraging developers to create content for it for free by using a Software Development Kit (SDK) and allowing users to run and load such content. Some of the new applications that became available when Apple opened up development for the iPhone take advantage of the device’s accelerometer feature, which lets the operating system know how to change the orientation of the image on the screen. Games like Super Monkey Ball let the player control the game character by tilting the phone in different ways (Wilson & Fenlon). It was at this point that the iPhone also gained recognition in the gaming world.

The iPhone has also become faster since its initial release. Apple now offers more storage space on the iPhone than it did in the beginning. Evolved features include an 8megapixel camera with panoramic capabilities, video recording, and a Global Positioning System, or GPS. Hardware has been updated since the first model as well, including multi-function buttons on the side of the phone for volume and standby. The phone has become more human too, because of Siri and its ability to adapt to user preferences.

The iPhone’s early strengths and weaknesses left room in the market for competition from hardware companies that had already begun research and development on touch screen phones. Asian manufacturers, such as Samsung and LG, were among the first to offer the iPhone major competition. Due to the iPhone’s initial “weakness” in partnering solely with one operator, phones like the LG Voyager and the HTC G1 from T-Mobile were heavily promoted for their similar qualities. Verizon also tried to compete with Apple on its music distribution platform iTunes, with Verizon VCast. Although Verizon’s VCast became the largest operator-specific music store in the US, its downloads (and sales) paled in comparison to iTunes. Nokia’s Ovi, which was Nokia’s own content distribution website, tried to compete with the iTunes store as well, but failed shortly after its launch in 2009. Operators found that their pricing power was limited due to consumer expectations set by Apple’s iTunes (West & Mace, 2010). Currently, the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the Apple iPhone 5 both include a high-resolution display, although the screen on the S4 is slightly bigger. The iPhone 5 also competes with the HTC One in that the cameras on both devices are of the same quality, but both lack a “microSD” slot for storage expansion.

Understanding the iPhone’s success depends heavily on understanding its emergence onto the mobile phone market. When Apple introduced the iPhone to the market in 2007, the company answered a problem that mobile phone industry had been trying to figure out a solution for since the mid-1990s. The problem mobile phone companies were facing at the time was creating a “mobile internet” that didn’t exist yet. Instead of trying to re-invent the wheel, so to speak, Apple decided to create a mobile phone that would be able to wirelessly connect to the Internet the way it was – and to make it look good doing so, while integrating and promoting their own software such as iTunes. As former Apple CEO Steve Jobs said three weeks before the initial release of the iPhone, “You’ve used the Internet on your phone, it’s terrible! You get the baby Internet, or the mobile Internet – people want the real Internet on their phone. We are going to deliver that.” Research by West and Mace (2010) supports the fact that with its iPhone, Apple rapidly gained smartphone market share while spurring widespread adoption of mobile data services in the United States. According to Nielsen, Apple currently controls 28 percent of the market (Wilson & Fenlon).

The concept of an Internet-enabled mobile device came about as early as the 1970s. The digital convergence between communications and computing was inevitable. During the 80s and 90s, key aspects of the convergence idea were further developed by computer scientist Nicholas Negroponte and Apple’s former CEO John Sculley (West & Mace, 2010). By the late 90s, the idea had been fully adopted and called the “smartphone” in the mobile phone market. The earliest smartphones were essentially PDAs (personal digital assistants) that could make calls, but they were heavy and limited by the hardware that was available at the time – two things that were not conducive to mobile technology. The Nokia 9000 emerged in 1997, and seemed to resemble what users and providers wanted out of a convergence device, but it was still not efficient as a complete device, with gaming and entertainment capabilities. During the iPhone’s development in 2005, Motorola launched an entertainment-compatible phone with iPod capabilities licensed by Apple, but critics say it was destined to fail because of the song cap Apple had placed on it to avoid eating into iPod sales.

The iPhone changed the face of the mobile phone market as we know it. While smartphones had existed before the iPhone, Apple’s focus on touch controls, as I mentioned earlier, pushed the industry in a new direction (Wilson & Fenlon). In 2007, it was the world’s first completely human touch screen mobile smartphone and soon rendered PDAs obsolete. However, in the days immediately following its initial release, users and reviewers criticized some of the iPhone’s features, which included slow browsing speeds and difficulty using the virtual keyboard. In some cases, Apple’s iPhone received even more attention for what it couldn’t do rather than its wide range of features (Wilson & Fenlon). At first, the iPhone didn’t offer MMS (multimedia messaging) to its users, even though it is a common feature on some of the most basic mobile phones. It took two years for Apple to integrate MMS and a cut and paste feature into the iPhone. Despite all of the difficulties, Apple sold its millionth iPhone in September 2007 – nine months after Apple iPhone was introduced to the world and only three months after the very first iPhone was shipped.

The iPhone itself has evolved since its release in 2007. The evolution started in June 2008, when Steve Jobs announced the release of the 3G iPhone. The annual timeline below further demonstrates each release of the iPhone as well as the improvements and additions that were made to them, in addition to those mentioned earlier.

2008: The iPhone 3G was released with only minor changes to its physical design. The phone was sleeker, and the back of it was not silver anymore. It was available in 8 and 16GB. Those who bought the 16GB model had the option of choosing either a black or white plastic back on their phones, whereas the 8GB version was only available in black. The iPhone had a GPS receiver as well. The only drawback was that GPS devices seemed to drain batteries quickly because of the constant receiving of satellite signals. At this point, the iPhone was able to be synchronized with Microsoft Outlook accounts. This feature made the iPhone more competitive with other enterprise smartphones, allowing businesses to keep executives and employees connected. And for the first time ever, the Apple iPhone allowed third party applications, encouraging developers to create content for it. In addition to the existing accelerometer – a feature that controls the orientation of the screen – developers were prompted to create gaming applications for the iPhone 3G, in which the player would be able to control the game by tilting the phone itself in different directions.

2009: The iPhone 3GS was released as a faster alternative, with the ‘S’ standing for ‘speed’. It was immediately available with more storage space, including a 32GB model. All versions were available in white or black. The camera was improved, allowing for video recording. The iPhone also included voice control, a compass, and an oleophobic screen, which was meant to repel oil and stop smudging. Tethering, or using your phone as a modem, was also made available to those whose cell phone carriers allowed the service. Although these features were a marked improvement, many other smartphones had already included some of these features.

2010: The iPhone 4 was the first model to have a flat back, instead of the usual curved back design of its predecessors. It had two cameras, one in the front and one in the back, and could capture 5-megapixel pictures and 720p video. The new phone also included a new application called FaceTime, which allowed iPhone users to make video calls. The iPhone 4 was the first iPhone to have more than one button, although the buttons were located around the edge of the phone. The buttons acted as an on/off switch and controlled volume. The iPhone 4 had a retina display as well, which gave the screen a 960 by 640 pixel resolution.

2011: The iPhone 4S was released shortly after the death of Steve Jobs, who was an integral part of the development of the iPhone. However, he made sure that it included a faster processor, an 8 megapixel camera, and Siri, a new voice assistant software program that’s integrated into the phone.

2012: The most recent iPhone available today is the iPhone 5. It was released as the “thinnest, lightest, fastest iPhone ever” by Apple. It includes a larger display, a faster chip, the latest wireless technology, and an 8MP iSight camera, which allows for panoramic photos. Apple also boasts enhanced audio, with the Apple EarPods, which can now be plugged in to the bottom of the phone. One of its tradeoffs is the new power adapter, which is also different in that it’s reversible. This new adapter is called the Lightning connector (Apple).

The photo below illustrates each generation of the iPhone, starting with the very first generation on the far left, and the newest one to the far right.

Apple had long been a company that used its software skills to distinguish its personal computers from competitors. It was consistent in using end-to-end systems design to create and capture value (West & Mace, 2010). The emergence of the iPhone was a reflection of Apple’s systems approach, maintain control over hardware, software, music content, and distribution. The iPhone was revolutionary from the beginning, and it didn’t take long for it to gain some competition. By 2008 — just one year after the initial release of the iPhone — the makers of BlackBerry, Research in Motion, had some of its features implemented in the release of the company’s BlackBerry 9530 “Storm” which boasted a slightly larger touchscreen. Since then, other companies have tried to match the success of Apple’s iPhone by implementing some of its features.

Although many smartphones do currently share similar features, very few have come close to reaching the same level of success as the iPhone. RIM’s BlackBerry line, for instance, has been in steady decline for years since the emergence of Apple’s iPhone (Wilson & Fenlon). However, many speculate that because of its open source operating system, Google Android has given Apple its most serious competition. An open source operating system like Android, allows practically anyone to its source code in order to create applications that could be beneficial to a smartphone’s users. While Google’s Android does control 39 percent of the smartphone market in the United States — with popular devices from Samsung, HTC, Motorola, and LG to name a few — that 39 percent is spread out over many devices and manufacturers. Apple, on the other hand, reaps all the rewards from its iPhone sales (Wilson & Fenlon).

As of 2013, the most recent model available from Apple is its iPhone 5. The newest iPhone’s biggest competition is Samsung’s Galaxy S4, which runs on an Android operating system designed by Google. The two companies have become fierce competitors in the media within the last two years, and many attribute it to Samsung’s aggressive marketing. Samsung has continuously poked fun at Apple’s products and customers, criticizing iPhone fans for waiting on long lines to purchase it each time a new model is released. However, the iPhone continues to outsell the Galaxy S4. While Samsung has a host of other mobile phones, Apple’s iPhone alone consistently beats its competition in number of sales. According to research firm Strategy Analytics, the iPhone 5 was still the best-selling smartphone worldwide during the fourth quarter of 2012; Apple shipped 27.4 million phones and Samsung 15.4 million (Stern, 2013).

The business model Apple used to distribute the iPhone was just as revolutionary as the iPhone itself. As I mentioned earlier, the iPhone was available in the beginning solely through AT&T and Apple retailers. It was a smart move and profitable for both parties. During the iPhone’s development in 2005, Apple began a bidding war between AT&T and Verizon for sole distribution of its product. Although Apple hadn’t previously been in the mobile phone market, it was able to use its reputable name and iPod market position to negotiate leverage (West & Mace). This approach guaranteed revenue to AT&T through new subscribers and their purchase of data service plans. Apple made its profit through this shared revenue business model, which also guaranteed the company ongoing subscriber revenues, earning it approximately 40 percent of the gross monthly service charge.

Apple has since allowed the sale and distribution of the iPhone to multiple phone companies and retailers, expanding its market reach. Due to the increase in demand, the company has come under fire for its use of Chinese labor. Americans feel as though they’ve lost the job opportunities to cheap Chinese labor. Foxconn, Apple’s iPhone manufacturer, has been blamed for the suicides and riots of workers in the factories the company operates. It’s been reported that low wages and poor working conditions have caused these conflicts, just so that Foxconn is able to deliver Apple’s product as quickly as possible.

Apple has also had other legal issues surrounding the distribution of the iPhone. The first legal issues arose when the company did not allow third party applications on its devices. As I mentioned earlier, developers often illegally unlocked the iPhone, which is in direct breach of the licensing agreement Apple has with its iPhone users. Another legal issue Apple’s had is with its competitor, Samsung. Apple has accused Samsung of copying the physical style and design of the iPhone. Samsung has repeatedly denied stealing the iPhone’s look.

In conclusion, the iPhone has become one of the most popular and successful modern technologies of our time. From the beginning, Apple started a revolution in the smartphone industry. From the design of the iPhone, to its App Store marketplace, Apple has always led the pack in terms of modern technological innovation. How the iPhone will affect our society long term remains to be seen. However, Apple’s iPhone will most certainly be an example of what technology can do and where it can go in such a short time.

]]>https://anabhani.wordpress.com/2013/08/08/final-research-project-perspectives-on-the-history-development-and-future-of-the-apple-iphone/feed/0anabhaniiphone-rev-4Smartphones + Driving = A Good Idea?iphone-620x350McLuhanLAB [P17]https://anabhani.wordpress.com/2013/08/01/mcluhanlab-p17/
https://anabhani.wordpress.com/2013/08/01/mcluhanlab-p17/#respondThu, 01 Aug 2013 03:43:32 +0000http://anabhani.wordpress.com/?p=433Continue reading →]]>Marshall McLuhan was a philosopher who concentrated mostly on theories of communication. He also predicted a system like the Internet almost 30 years before its release. His theories were popular in the 1960s, but his popularity decreased over the years. By the time the Internet came out, interest in his philosophies were renewed.

One of his most popular theories was that the medium is the message. What McLuhan meant was that it wasn’t only the content that mattered, but the medium through which the message was delivered. He thought that the medium was just as important as the message it was trying to convey. An example of this, he figured, was electricity. He said that light and electricity are often overlooked as a message or form of media unless either one spells out a message in words.

Another one of his theories was that media can be hot or cold. What he meant was that forms of media that are hot are those that give all of the information, whereas those that are cold force the audience or user to be able to fill in the cracks. For example, speech, he thought, would be considered a cold or low form of media because the listener has to be able to fill in the cracks of information. He thought that a photograph, though, was hot visually because it is filled with all of the data it can possibly provide.

The iPhone would be considered, according to McLuhan, a cold form of media, since the user has to fill in much of the information in order for it to be useful. However, in the case of the iPhone, the medium itself would definitely be considered the message as well, since it is a form of technology. Besides what the user can make it do, the phone itself sends the message of communication loud and clear.

To me, it says, “I’m here to take over your life. I might make it easier. I might give you new problems. Either way, you’re stuck with me now.”

]]>https://anabhani.wordpress.com/2013/08/01/mcluhanlab-p17/feed/0anabhaniTECHlab: Open Source Software [P16]https://anabhani.wordpress.com/2013/07/31/techlab-open-source-software/
https://anabhani.wordpress.com/2013/07/31/techlab-open-source-software/#respondWed, 31 Jul 2013 03:20:48 +0000http://anabhani.wordpress.com/?p=430Continue reading →]]>Open Source Software is computer software that is available to others at no cost, meaning that its source code can be used for free.

It’s relevant in the sense that people can use it to create other things, leading us to new places in the world of technology.

It started out as a way to efficiently develop software by assigning people different roles to be able to create and execute something new.

It’s beneficial because people with different minds and ideas are able to flex their skills without having to pay for it first.

The tradeoffs are that since it’s made widely available, anyone can access it. The downside is that people may not use it correctly or to create anything worth using.

An example of an open source project would be the web browser Firefox. Users that are familiar with its source code can create extensions that can be used with Firefox. When I used Firefox, I had an extension called Ad-Block that someone had created in order to block ads from web pages that I would’ve normally seen while using Firefox.

Microsoft Word, for example, is not open source software, meaning that unless the people at Microsoft created a component of it, no one else would be able to either.

]]>https://anabhani.wordpress.com/2013/07/31/techlab-open-source-software/feed/0anabhaniTECHlab: The Internet & WWW [P15]https://anabhani.wordpress.com/2013/07/30/techlab-the-internet-www-p15/
https://anabhani.wordpress.com/2013/07/30/techlab-the-internet-www-p15/#respondMon, 29 Jul 2013 18:00:26 +0000http://anabhani.wordpress.com/?p=370Continue reading →]]>The Internet is defined as an international computer network that provides communication and information across a system of interconnected networks using standardized communication protocols.

To most people, however, it is the endless encyclopedia of any and everything anyone’s ever wanted to know, as well as the tool in which we use to communicate almost everything. It’s beyond relevant to us in so many ways, but the most important of which is convenience. Obviously society existed before the Internet. But our culture, society, social, and personal lives are now heavily dependent on it and forever altered because of it.

Research began in the 1960s, as a way to connect computers. Within 10 years, researchers managed to connect 15 computer networks. By the 80s, the Internet was born. The concept of globally connecting computers to each other was actually taking flight.

The tradeoffs, though, are starting to become apparent already. I actually worry for the future of the world because of what all of this convenience and faux-interaction has instilled in the next generation — the generation who will never know what life was like, everyday, without the almighty Internet.

I do remember what the world was like before the Internet was so readily available in all of our daily lives. It was slower, but in a way, it seemed more valuable. Maybe it’s because I was younger, and when you’re younger, every new experience seems as though it’s taken place over the course of a lifetime, but I believe there’s value in a lack of convenience… As long as we’re all on the same page. The problem with technology now is that there’s no turning back. Even if I wanted to get rid of my smartphone, and ignore the Internet for a while, I would be the one left in the dark. Because now the use of all of this technology is commonplace. It’s as common as turning on a light switch when you enter a room. If you walked into rooms without turning on the light switch each time, people would probably wonder why you’re choosing to bump around in the darkness. It’s the same if you try to turn back time with all of this technology, like the Internet. You’ll be the one bumping around in the dark while everyone points and stares.

]]>https://anabhani.wordpress.com/2013/07/30/techlab-the-internet-www-p15/feed/0anabhaniTECHlab: DIY [P14]https://anabhani.wordpress.com/2013/07/26/techlab-diy/
https://anabhani.wordpress.com/2013/07/26/techlab-diy/#respondFri, 26 Jul 2013 03:35:47 +0000http://anabhani.wordpress.com/?p=399Continue reading →]]>Initially, I’d headed over to makeprojects.com, and chose to make a light box. Apparently a light box is, or some version of it, is what a photographer would use to… Take a pretty picture? I don’t know. Either way, mine came out terribly. So instead, I decided to try out instructables.com! A much better choice (for me anyway).

Today we’re going to make a credit card iPhone stand! This tutorial is unbelievably easy to follow, and lucky for me, it’s technology-based!

Step one:

Find an old credit card or one of those supermarket discount cards, since like the website says, no one hardly uses those.

Here’s mine:

I chose to use a now-defunct Forever 21 gift card. The thickness is about the same as a typical credit or savings card.

Step two:

Fold the card in half.

Ta-da! Sorry for the cropped image. I haven’t had a manicure in weeks.

Step three:

This is where it gets wild. With a scissor, cut the folded card like you would if you were making a Valentine out of construction paper in second grade. Like so…

It was definitely not the most difficult thing I’ve ever done, making this iPhone stand, but cutting weird shapes out of credit cards can be dangerous! Overall, this was a fun little DIY experiment… And went much more smoothly than my silly light box.

But what if that had never happened? It’s hard to think about a world without computers. Computers control almost everything we take for granted these days. We wouldn’t be anywhere near where we are in terms of technology without them. So while I can try to imagine a world where computers never came to be, I’m sure I will leave certain, very important things out…

In my daily life, I wake up because of the alarm on my phone. That wouldn’t be possible without computers. So I’d probably wake up like I would if I’d grown up in a rural area — by the crowing of a rooster, or by intense sunlight peering through my windows. I do know that humans create a natural chemical called melatonin that regulates our sleep patterns. Melatonin is excreted in our bodies when our eyes no longer see bright light. Sure, we’d still have electricity to keep lights on, probably delaying this process somewhat, but not nearly to the effect we experience now. The light that our eyes take in from our computers, cell phones, and televisions late at night are technically what keeps us up longer. Therefore, without them, our melatonin excretion process would work better, keeping our sleep cycles in check. So who knows, maybe I wouldn’t even need my cell phone’s alarm clock in the morning.

I certainly wouldn’t be able to make my coffee the way I do either because I don’t own a French press, nor do I know how to make coffee on a hot stove; I own a coffee maker, which uses some form of computer system to be able to work its magic. I guess I’d learn… Or maybe, since my sleep cycle would be in check, I wouldn’t need coffee at all!

I definitely couldn’t open my laptop, go online, and check in with my summer courses, that’s for sure. So in a world without computers, we’d basically be living as though it were the 1800s, or the early 1900s. After all, computers were initially made to compute numbers more efficiently, not to live and breathe. Of course it’s possible, but being born in the 80s, and raised in the 90s, with even the most basic computers, it has become a part of my life that I cannot imagine living without for an extended period of time. Not to mention the effect it’d have on the whole world. Most of the things we can do are because of the invention of the computer.

It might be a nice change though, to live without them… But we’ll never know. Because even if all the computers in the world crashed at once, and we had to live without them, our world would be in chaos. So it seems to be one of those things that once you do, you cannot undo, so to speak.

Although I do appreciate a good dose of history, much of the information in this week’s session was full of technical information. I learned about the powers of ten, and how they’re used in large scientific calculations. Of course, I learned that years ago, but I was never quite sure why, until now. I also learned about the use of metric prefixes… I thought we didn’t use the metric system? However, it seems as though we should, since everyone else does. It would make things a lot simpler, don’t you think?

On to the history, though, I enjoyed reading about Marconi, whom I also learned about in my intro to radio courses. What I liked about the E&E reading, however, was that it included a timeline. I love a good timeline. What I found interesting about it was that as children, we’re taught that Benjamin Franklin discovered electricity. But alas, he did not. While he did play a large part in conducting studies in the mid-1700s, those studies began long before he ever even existed — in the 1500s, and in England, not the US. But we just love to take credit for stuff, don’t we?

]]>https://anabhani.wordpress.com/2013/07/24/techlab-electricity-wireless/feed/0anabhaniArrrr, Piracy [P11]https://anabhani.wordpress.com/2013/07/23/arrrr-piracy/
https://anabhani.wordpress.com/2013/07/23/arrrr-piracy/#commentsMon, 22 Jul 2013 19:06:05 +0000http://anabhani.wordpress.com/?p=307Continue reading →]]>Stealing is wrong. Fine. But the issue of piracy runs deeper than just stealing. The big record companies charge a ridiculous amount of money for music. Half the time most of the money goes to them and not the artist anyway. So it’s difficult to justify spending a lot of money on music. But that’s the standard now, so what are we supposed to do? If we can get it for free on the internet, the artist is still having their music heard. People will still pay to see them perform live, and there is still an interest in them. If anything, more people will be privy to music they otherwise wouldn’t hear, which could perhaps enlarge their fan bases.

But of course, I’m not a musician. I think bands like Radiohead did it right. They released their 2007 album In Rainbows online, and you could purchase it for as much or as little as you wanted. After some time, then it was released in music stores and on iTunes for the regular price. It’s a good idea to offer your fans your music for as much as they think it’s worth or want to contribute. Because hey, they’re still millionaires!

But what about new artists? Piracy still isn’t so bad. I’m much less inclined to buy an album by someone I don’t know. I know if I could listen to it for free, there is a greater chance I may become a fan, because there’s no downside to listening to it.

I know a lot of my friends download torrents. I personally enjoy album art. I enjoy holding something tangible. But I’m not the majority anymore, and I can’t blame them.

]]>https://anabhani.wordpress.com/2013/07/23/arrrr-piracy/feed/1anabhaniMy iPhone, My Life [P10]https://anabhani.wordpress.com/2013/07/19/my-iphone-my-life/
https://anabhani.wordpress.com/2013/07/19/my-iphone-my-life/#commentsThu, 18 Jul 2013 21:57:01 +0000http://anabhani.wordpress.com/2013/07/19/my-iphone-my-life/Continue reading →]]>Out of all the media technologies out there, the most interesting to me is the iPhone. Bless those inventive enough to have thought of such a thing. To have your phonebook, music, the Internet, and basically everything else is one place, on such a tiny device that’s with you all the time, is pretty ingenious.

But there’s so much I don’t know. For example, who really came up with the idea? Was it a team? Was it just one genius? If so, does he or she really get the credit for it? To be honest, I still don’t understand how gigabytes work. I know that mine has 32, though. I know it stores more stuff… but where does it all go? Is there some enormously large database somewhere, secretly storing my every word and picture? My bank information that I so easily type in every single day? That’s a scary thought.

The iPhone doesn’t just relate to my life, it is my life. I check my balance on it. I talk to my friends and family on it. I tell them personal information and details about everything via text message sometimes. I take pictures. I check into places that I go with it. I make to-do lists on it. I get coupons from it. I search for things on the internet on it. I read e-mails, I look for jobs, I look at other people’s social media as well as my own. What don’t I do on it? I can’t shower with it. I can’t drive with it. But it definitely can come to the bathroom with me. It can play music for me while I’m in the shower, and it certainly comes with me in the car and keeps me company while I drive.

I’m not sure that my iPhone will be a big part of my professional ambitions other than the fact that I can check e-mails and communicate with my co-workers on it. I definitely use LinkedIn, and I search for other jobs using Safari on it. But I assume that if I’m ever in a bind, as long as my iPhone is with me and charged, ready to go, that it will serve as my very own personal assistant.

]]>https://anabhani.wordpress.com/2013/07/19/my-iphone-my-life/feed/1anabhaniMy Techie Future [P9]https://anabhani.wordpress.com/2013/07/18/my-techie-future/
https://anabhani.wordpress.com/2013/07/18/my-techie-future/#respondWed, 17 Jul 2013 21:48:00 +0000http://anabhani.wordpress.com/2013/07/19/my-techie-future/Continue reading →]]>I wake up, but I’m not ready to take on my day without a cup of coffee, so I text the coffee machine from my phone so it’ll start brewing. This new technology has made it so that you don’t have to fill up the coffee machine the night before and set it to a timer. No, this technology does the work for you. These new coffee machines have a week’s supply of coffee beans stored within them. Worried about freshness? Don’t be! The coffee is made up of beans, and what do you know, the machine has a grinder. So every cup of coffee is fresh! The water is connected through your home’s water supply, so that’s something you never have to worry about. This new digital coffee maker is linked via WiFi to your cell phone, which allows it to receive texts. It texts you when you’re out of coffee so you can pick some up on your way home from work, without having to come home and see that some old-fashioned light is on warning you that you’re low on coffee.

I can get ready in the morning with ease knowing that my coffee’s been made. What a time saver! My phone rings while I’m brushing my teeth, and it’s my best friend. I answer, and she pops up right in front of me, as a hologram. She wanted to show me her new hair like in the old days when we used FaceTime to get an accurate 3-D view of her whole head. Except now, it’s like she’s right in front of me. No lag, no choppiness. There she is, new haircut and all!

What I love most about these holograms is that I might never have to go to a concert again! YouTube is all I need as far as live performances. The band just pops up right in front of me, and it may as well be me crowd surfing an AC/DC concert in Donington in the early 90s! Angus Young duck walks across my living room floor, and I can pretty much smell his sweat filling up the room. What’s annoying is definitely the new law banning holograms in public. I guess they can’t control what a select few weirdos want to watch on public transportation. The good news is that I read an article about these new soundproof cubbies in all buses and trains. It’s already begun in Japan, but we’re always last to the punch!